I am sure there is an easy answer, I just don’t know what it is. I am getting everything set up, and I went to put my bits into Estlcam, but this question is for any software… How to I measure the bit? i.e. I got a variety pack of v bits, but how do I put them into the software? Which one is 130 degrees, 110 degrees, etc. For the down bit, where do I caliper the diameter? The shaft? The flat blade at the bottom (widest part of the cutting edge)? Any tips on how to keep them straight once they are put into the tool list?
Did they come with any specs? It isn’t always easy to measure them. Since they have holes in them and they are sometimes (by design) offset.
You can probably get close measuring the depth and width of the cone part of the bit. Hopefully there aren’t any surprises.
As for keeping them separate, probably best to label their bins and take one out at a time.
Unfortunately, they didn’t come with specs. I got the pack off of the V1 store, it just has basic information in the description.
This variety pack?
There is only one V bit and it is 45 degree.
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I get that, but it doesn’t include any information about angle of entry, spindle speed, plunge rate, feedrate, etc… Is that stuff all trial and error? My question is more about bits in general, not this specific set. As a general question, how do you determine that stuff if it is not provided?
Those settings are not provided because they largely are determined by the material you are cutting. You generally cut test pieces to determine the acceptable sound/rigidity limit you and your machine can handle. Run too fast on the xy and CNC will skip steps or break your bit. Too fast on the router and it will get hot and dull your bit. Too slow of a speed on the router is harder to do. We typically are at the bottom end of their speed limits. Too slow on the feed rate and you can dull the bit or just waste time. Monitor your chip size and then iterate to make it work better and better. There are several discussions on it, but you are not likely to find a hard fast speed setting from a mill vendor because your equipment and material will vary.
There are some end mill manufacturers that provide chip load data for their mills, but most do not. In those cases, you will have to find some other manufacturers recommendations, or generic chip load charts and run test cuts to validate those recommendations.
So what are safe values to use as a first run? i.e. what should I put in Esltcam the first time I am trying out a new bit?
You should definitely read all of the Milling Basics, which starts by saying…
“The basics for milling are not, well, basic.”
but for the impatient…
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Well, I did say it was a dumb question… lol
I think I was so far down the Esltcam tutorial search I forgot to check back on the V1 links. Thanks for reminding me!
It’s all over the map with V1E machines. You’ll end up with different speeds for different materials. Too slow but too may rpms will scorch and smell, to fast with too few rpms will chatter and break. This past weekend I used plywood settings on a hardwood charcuterie board and got a horrible chatter-y cut. A good sanding took care of most of it, but I definitely need to slow down both the feed rate and the rotation speed.
One other consideration that I find useful when I’m trying to figure out a new bit on my machine. The bits cut from the side, so plunge slow and use an angle of entry when you’re trying to get to depth. If your spindle can take a ER11 collet (the Makita can’t out of the box) you can use that to hold drill bits for plunging straight down.